Influence of vibration on mechanical polishing micro-structured surface using discrete element method

A model using discrete element method (DEM) was conducted to simulate vibration assisted mechanical polishing micro-structured surface process by particle flow code in three dimensions (PFC3D). The effect laws of vibration frequency and amplitude on abrasive grains and polishing force were researched in detail according to the simulation results. The effects of vibration on the particles average motion velocity in one fluid cell were researched, and the simulation results show that average velocity increases with increase of vibration frequency and amplitude on the whole. The effects of vibration on the unbalanced force acting on the workpiece surface were quantified at first. The changes of average unbalanced force obviously increase for low feed rate with increase of frequency and increase approximately linearly with increase of amplitude. It is concluded that vibration with high frequency and great amplitude can significantly increase machining efficiency and improve surface quality in micro-structured surface polishing.